Getting to Patmos

“And you may ask yourself

‘well… how did I get here?’”

Patmos is a small island in the Aegean Sea, closer to Turkey than mainland Greece. There is no airport on the island. Getting there is part of the experience! A typical journey looks like this:

  1. Fly into Athens International Airport (ATH)

  2. Travel to Piraeus Port— by bus, metro, or taxi (approximately 1-1.5 hours from airport)

  3. Take a ferry to Patmos (typically 7-9 hours)

  4. Arrive in Skala, Patmos

    Scroll on for detailed instructions, and reach out to Nugget (+1802-488-4217, natalie.lewisvass@gmail.com) with any questions!

step 1: Flying to Athens

We recommend allowing plenty of time between your flight’s arrival and your ferry’s departure. If you have a few hours to kill, we recommend this rooftop bar with a stunning view of the Acropolis.

step 2: Athens Airport to Piraeus

Transportation Travel Time Approx. Cost
Taxi 45–75+ minutes €60–€80 per car
Metro 60 minutes €9 per person
X96 Express Bus 90 minutes €5.50 per person

There are three ways to get to Piraeus (Athens’ main port) from the airport:

By taxi: The simplest option if you're traveling with luggage or in a group. Taxis are available outside the airport arrivals area.

By metro: Take Metro Line 3 (the Blue Line) directly from the airport to Piraeus. Follow signs to the ferry departure gates.

By bus: Take the X96 Express Bus from the airport to Piraeus. The bus operates 24 hours a day, making it useful for late arrivals.

We recommend arriving at the port at least one hour before your ferry departs.

step 3: Taking the ferry to Patmos

Book your ferry with Blue Star Ferries. The journey typically takes 7-9 hours. These are large ships with indoor lounges, outdoor decks, cafes, and restaurants. Thing something between a ferry and a small cruise ship. If you’d like to sleep or are traveling overnight, book a private cabin.

Economy tickets are around €40-€55 per person. Private cabins cost more, and the price depends on the size and view.

Ferries run 4-7 days per week in the summer. Departure times depend on the day and season.

We recommend booking your ferry tickets in advance, before making nonrefundable travel arrangements.

step 4: Arriving in Patmos!

Your ferry will arrive in Skala, right in the center of town. Taxis generally meet arriving ferries, including late-night arrivals. To be extra safe, you can arrange transportation with your accommodation in advance.